Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Bridget Mabbutt
Contact via bridget.mabbutt@mq.edu.au
Tutor
Bhumika Shah
|
---|---|
Credit points |
Credit points
4
|
Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes and 16cp at 700 level
|
Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is designed to provide hands-on experience by direct interface with molecular science underway in the Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences. Students will participate in the programs of three distinct research groups over the semester and navigate typical situations encountered as members of a scientific research team. They will engage in a range of pertinent laboratory activities, receive preparative training in advanced molecular techniques from research scientists, and attend team meetings at which experimental data are reviewed and research planning is encountered.
|
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
Laboratory notebook A | 15% | 22nd September |
Research presentation A | 25% | 19th September |
Supervisor A report | 10% | 26th September |
Laboratory notebook B | 15% | 10th November |
Research presentation B | 25% | 7th November |
Supervisor B report | 10% | 14th November |
Due: 22nd September
Weighting: 15%
You will be provided with a notebook in which you will record your daily laboratory activities in a manner appropriate to the research disipline in which you are working. The laboratory notebook is generally regarded as the primary source of new experimental information, and many granting authorities require notebooks to be retained by funded laboratories (i.e. they are not the property of the researcher).
Your lab notebook must be written up as experiments are set up and progress, alongside relevant observations or insights. Each task and observation must be clearly dated. The level of description should be sufficient to allow experiments to be replicated by another worker. The names and location of all data files related to each experiment must be identified clearly.
Your notebook must be certified on a weekly basis by your supervisor or a senior researcher in your team. At the end of your rotation, the quality of reporting within your laboratory notebook will be assessed by the Unit convenor.
Due: 19th September
Weighting: 25%
You will give a 30 min Powerpoint presentation to your research group outlining the work in which you participated, background literature, a critique of experiments in which you were involved and an outline of your results. You will be questioned by your reserach team members and receive constructive feedback on your presentation.
Your presentation will be marked by your research supervisor.
Due: 26th September
Weighting: 10%
You supervisor will provide a report to the Unit convenor evaluating your laboratory performance, technical competencies gained and degree of engagement. Factors such as attention to detail, ability to learn new methods, your contribution to experimental interpretation, and interactions with the research team will contribute to this assessment.
Due: 10th November
Weighting: 15%
As for laboratory notebook A.
At the end of your second rotation, the Unit covenor will review and assess your laboratory notebook.
Due: 7th November
Weighting: 25%
As for Research presentation A.
Due: 14th November
Weighting: 10%
As for Supervisor Report A.
Following the information about research projects available and induction sessions run in Weeks 1 and 2, you will be asked to nominate up to four projects that interest you. Two will be assigned to best accommodate your preferences, within the spaces made available by team leaders.
During the 10 weeks of laboratory work, you are expected to be present in each participating laboratory for ~15 hours per week. During this time, as well as participating in experiments, you will write up your laboratory notebook, conduct background literature surveys and attend group meetings and seminars.
Technologies Used and Required
Experimental consumable costs have been provided to each hosting laboratory, and you will be provided with basic laboratory needs, including lab notebook. Specialist scientific equipment, computers and software will be made available to you under supervision, but you will require your own laptop with basic software installed to prepare your reports and presentation.
For detailed schedules and locations, you must consult the CBMS780 iLearn site.
The Unit will be generally structured as follows:
Weeks 1&2: Unit introduction; Meet with CBMS Laboratory Heads, chemical and biosafety induction; notification of lab placements
Weeks 3-7: Lab placement A
Weeks 8-12: Lab placement B
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Please note due dates for all tasks. No extensions will be granted, unless a case for Special Consideration has been made through the Faculty site and approved by the Unit convenor.
Your laboratory notebooks must be handed in person to the Unit convenor by the due date. Late work will be penalised.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by: